Rail-joint.



A M. K. HART.

. RAIL JOINT. l APPLICATION FILED NQVIZY. 1915.

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RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED 110V. A27. 1915.

4 Patented July 18, 1916.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Applicationled November 27, 1915.` Serial No. 63,794.

To all whom z'z may concern Be it known that I, MACK K. HART, a citi--vzen of the United States, residing at Uniontown, in the county ofFayette and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Rail-Joints, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in means for co-nnectingthe meeting ends of two rails, the object ofthe invention being toprovide a joint of this character wherein the employment'of the usualnuts and bolts may be dispensed with.

A further object of the invention is to provide a joint of a simpleconstruction wherein the rails are effectively sustained against lateralor tilting movement and also wherein the creeping of the rails isprevented. v

Other objects and advantages will appear as the nature of the inventionis more fully understood, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings in which there is illustrated a simple and'satisfactoryreduction of the improvement to practice.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of two rails constructedin accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a transversesectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 isa similar sectional view taken in a line with one of the yokes. Fig. 4is a perspective view of one of the yoke members. Fig.- 5 is a similarview of a portion of one of the rails. Fig. 6 is a similar view of oneof the locking web keys. Y

In the drawings 1-'1 designates two alining rails. These lrails are ofthe ordinary construction and have the longitudinal edges of theirflanges notched at a suitable distance from the ends, the said notchesbeingv indicated by the numerals 2.

My improvement contemplates the employment of two angle bars 3 3 whichare arranged upon the opposite sides of the rails and which have theirbase portions at the longitudinal edges thereof thickened as at 4, thesaid thickened portions providingvertically straight longitudinallyextending shoulders which Contact with the longitudinal edges of theflanges of the rails.

The numeral 5 designates a base plate which is secured to the angle bars3 through the medium of rivets 6 passing through suitable openings inthe said plate 5 and the thickened portions 4: of the angle bars. Thehorizontal portions of the angle bars are riveted to the base plate 5,as indicated by the numeral 6. The said horizontal members of the anglebars as well as the plate 5 at the portions thereof which rest over thesupporting ties 8 are provided with openings which register with thenotches 2 in the flanges of the rails 1 and passing through theseopenings and engaging the notches 2 are spikes 7 which enter the ties 8.

It is to be understood that the rails 1 are entered longitudinally fromthe opposite ends of the chair, and in order to reinforce and strengthenthe angle bars and base plate 5 I arrange thereon to the opposite sidesof the ties 8 yoke members 9. These yoke members are cut to the shape ofthe chair members and engage the base 5, thehorizontal anges of theangle bars and contact with the vertical portion of the said angle bars.In order to effectively secure the yokes 9 uponthe joint chair as wellas to force one of the vertical members of one of the angle bars 3against the webs of the rails and as a consequence force the oppositeangle bar into contact with the straight arm 10 of the yokes 9 I notchthe second arm 11 of the said yoke at the engaging face thereof and Iforce through the said notch (in contacting relation with the verticalplate of one of the angle bars 3) a wedge shaped malleable locking key13. This tapered key has its widened portion provided on all its faceswith teeth or serrations 14 and the reduced portionor tail 15, (afterthe said keys have been properly positioned,) is bent against PatentedJuly 1s, i916. l

the inner side of the arm 11 of the yoke members 9.

A joint structure and arranged as above imparts the desirable features0f simplicity, strength and durability and the advantages thereof will,it is thought be apparent to those skilled in the art to which suchinventions appertain without further detailed description. v j

Having thus described the'invention what is claimed is registering withthe notches in the rails, adapted to be bent against the sides of the 10yoke members straddling the plate and bars yokes.

having their ends contacting With the Ver- In testimony whereof I affixmy signature tical plates of the said angle bars, one end in presence oftwo Witnesses. of each of the yokes being notched, and a MACK K HARTWedge shaped serrated key passed through the said notched end incontacting relation Witnesses:

With the vertical late of one of the angle J. O. CLARK, bars, and thereduced ends of the keys J. D. SPRINGER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained .for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

